Want one that sounds like 52RI Tele

MrBigD · June 5th, 2003, 05:42 PM

I recently bought my son an American Vintage 52RI. I would like to buy another guitar that has the same sound, and same neck, since I think that this is the best sounding guitar that I've heard. Not wanting to be a copycat, are there any ideas as to what would be comparable.

telemike · June 5th, 2003, 05:46 PM

How much money are you talking? I'm assuming that by saying you don't want to be a copycat, that you don't want one that looks exactly like his.

The inexpensive way would be to get a MIM 50's Classic in sunburst. The expensive way would be to get another 52RI and send it somewhere to be refinned in whatever color you want or refinish it yourself...

MrBigD · June 5th, 2003, 05:56 PM

Does the MIM 50's Classic approximate the sound? I would like to keep the price under $1000.00, so that rules out your second suggestion. Thanks

telemike · June 5th, 2003, 06:09 PM

Well to me it does. It's practically the same guitar, really. Except the pickups and electronics. It has vintage hardware and vintage specs. Ash body. Play a bunch of them and find one you like. And then buy a set of 52RI pickups, if you need to, which I don't think you will...

Hopefully Scotland won't mind me posting his review...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotland

I think they are absolutely phenomenal guitars. I have never owned a tele I love so much as this one, it does it all for me. Many TDPRI memebers have posted the same feelings on this forum in the past. I have been playing for 32 years and have never been so happy with a guitar. Bill Hullett is used to high bucks guitars such as original 1950 Broadcaster etc. etc. and couldn't believe the quality of the 50's when he saw one in a shop....that virtually says it all. Best advice is to take your amp to a shop and try one out, I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

Mark Davis · June 5th, 2003, 06:15 PM

You could buy a 50's Classic Tele for around $600 new buy a set of 52ri pickups and the 52ri bridge with brass saddles. You would have around $750-775 invested.

The 50's Classic neck is slightly bigger "thicker" than the 52 ri but not much.

My guess is if you took a 50's Classic Tele that was 7.5 lbs and a 52ri that was 7.5 lbs and put the 52ri pickups in the 50's Classic with the brass saddles the tone of both would be very hard to tell apart.

Scotland · June 5th, 2003, 07:21 PM

Did my heart good to see that. :)

jed · June 5th, 2003, 08:12 PM

maybe a "Muddy" or a used 52ri.
But the 50's MIM is very nice. The white body with some grain showing thru.

Kingtone · June 5th, 2003, 08:29 PM

I also agree, the 50s classic is the way to go. The body and neck are carved in California right along side the 52ri.
The neck has a soft "V" profile, bigger than a 52ri. ( I prefer the 50s classic neck). They're painted and assembled in Mexico, and again you might want to upgrade the electronics and pickups......All in all the 50s Classic is a real sweet Tele...

GuitarJonz · June 5th, 2003, 08:40 PM

If I was ewe, I'd jump on this ebay puppy right here, $450 shipped, then get some '52 RI pups for $50 used.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=38083

MarkMM · June 5th, 2003, 09:01 PM

I'm a true Tele-newbie. Used to be turned off by the design (too plain, etc...), but for the last year I've really warmed up to the guitar. I had played the 52RI at a GC and liked it a lot, but didn't want to spend the $$.

A week ago I received my new blonde 50s Tele. I love it! It feels "right," and sounds great. I just installed brass compensated saddles (thanks, TeleCaster!), and might eventually swap out the Pups and electronics, but not anytime soon.

I spent $609 on my Tele, and another $30 for the saddles. Best bang for your buck anywhere. And if you can get a used one for less, even better!

MarkMM

Roy · June 5th, 2003, 10:57 PM

I went over to MF just then and looked hard at the '50's Classic. I have the '52 RI and would also like to have one that sounds and plays like the '52. Didn't order it but did get a start by ordering the brass bridges. I also have an Am. Std.

MarkMM · June 5th, 2003, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy

I went over to MF just then and looked hard at the '50's Classic. I have the '52 RI and would also like to have one that sounds and plays like the '52. Didn't order it but did get a start by ordering the brass bridges. I also have an Am. Std.

Roy:

I've got a MIM Standard Strat and a Warmoth Jackson Soloist-style guitar along with the 50s, and the Tele is such a great buy. I think I've got at least $1,000 sunk in the Warmoth, and I do like it, but the MIM tele is more comfortable.

The one complaint I hear about the 50s MIM is that the electronics are cheap, and I can feel that the switch isn't as sturdy as the one in my Warmoth (a Switchcraft 3-way). Eventually I'll probably replace all the electric stuff, but for noodling at home, it's fine.

If you do decide to get one, I got a lower price at MF. I was going to buy it from Sam Ash, but they were backordered, so I went to MF and asked if they'd match the price. Free shipping and no sales tax were also a helper.

MarkMM

Impala · June 5th, 2003, 11:46 PM

black. If you really like everything about the '52 RI including neck shape, that would be another alternative, especially if buying used and you wouldn't have to change a thing on it. If you like tinkering and upgrading a bit (and who doesn't?) go for the MIM...

June 5th, 2003, 05:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
MrBigD NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 8	Want one that sounds like 52RI Tele I recently bought my son an American Vintage 52RI. I would like to buy another guitar that has the same sound, and same neck, since I think that this is the best sounding guitar that I've heard. Not wanting to be a copycat, are there any ideas as to what would be comparable.

June 5th, 2003, 05:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
telemike Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 616	How much money are you talking? I'm assuming that by saying you don't want to be a copycat, that you don't want one that looks exactly like his. The inexpensive way would be to get a MIM 50's Classic in sunburst. The expensive way would be to get another 52RI and send it somewhere to be refinned in whatever color you want or refinish it yourself... __________________ 3 >\| ! \/\/

June 5th, 2003, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,512 3 Photos	Thanks Telemike Did my heart good to see that. :) __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

June 5th, 2003, 08:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
jed Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 196	some more options... maybe a "Muddy" or a used 52ri. But the 50's MIM is very nice. The white body with some grain showing thru.

June 5th, 2003, 08:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kingtone Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Camillus, NY Age: 50 Posts: 538 5 Photos	50s Classic I also agree, the 50s classic is the way to go. The body and neck are carved in California right along side the 52ri. The neck has a soft "V" profile, bigger than a 52ri. ( I prefer the 50s classic neck). They're painted and assembled in Mexico, and again you might want to upgrade the electronics and pickups......All in all the 50s Classic is a real sweet Tele...

June 5th, 2003, 05:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
MrBigD NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 8	Does the MIM 50's Classic approximate the sound? I would like to keep the price under $1000.00, so that rules out your second suggestion. Thanks

June 5th, 2003, 06:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,876	You could buy a 50's Classic Tele for around $600 new buy a set of 52ri pickups and the 52ri bridge with brass saddles. You would have around $750-775 invested. The 50's Classic neck is slightly bigger "thicker" than the 52 ri but not much. My guess is if you took a 50's Classic Tele that was 7.5 lbs and a 52ri that was 7.5 lbs and put the 52ri pickups in the 50's Classic with the brass saddles the tone of both would be very hard to tell apart.

June 5th, 2003, 08:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
GuitarJonz Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Mass. Posts: 2,777 7 Photos	Heres one for ya If I was ewe, I'd jump on this ebay puppy right here, $450 shipped, then get some '52 RI pups for $50 used. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=38083

June 5th, 2003, 09:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
MarkMM TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 33	50s is the way to go... I'm a true Tele-newbie. Used to be turned off by the design (too plain, etc...), but for the last year I've really warmed up to the guitar. I had played the 52RI at a GC and liked it a lot, but didn't want to spend the $$. A week ago I received my new blonde 50s Tele. I love it! It feels "right," and sounds great. I just installed brass compensated saddles (thanks, TeleCaster!), and might eventually swap out the Pups and electronics, but not anytime soon. I spent $609 on my Tele, and another $30 for the saddles. Best bang for your buck anywhere. And if you can get a used one for less, even better! MarkMM

June 5th, 2003, 10:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
Roy TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Texas Posts: 52	I went over to MF just then and looked hard at the '50's Classic. I have the '52 RI and would also like to have one that sounds and plays like the '52. Didn't order it but did get a start by ordering the brass bridges. I also have an Am. Std.

June 5th, 2003, 11:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
Impala Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA Posts: 253	I've also seen '52 RI's in copper and... black. If you really like everything about the '52 RI including neck shape, that would be another alternative, especially if buying used and you wouldn't have to change a thing on it. If you like tinkering and upgrading a bit (and who doesn't?) go for the MIM...